washer dryer recommendations

[Knottscott]

We've had great luck with Whirlpool products in general. We just replaced a Whirlpool washer that we ran an estimated 13,000 loads through...it more than earned it's keep. (Even if it's only 5 years old, don't buy a used washer from a larger family! )

[cabinetman]

When we bought this house 12 years ago, we bought all new appliances. At the time we got top of the line GE top loader, and a gas dryer. Two years ago LOML decided she wanted a front loader washer, so we gave a perfectly good washer to a neighbor. We replaced it with a Kenmore with digital controls.

The front loader does a good job. Actually both did good jobs, and I can't say one is better than the other. I will say the high speed final spin on the front loader takes out more water than the top loader.

The risers they sell are overpriced for sheet metal. I would suggest making your own and incorporating a storage drawer.

.

[os1kne]

We have a Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer. We upgraded from a 90's mid-grade set and couldn't be happier. The washer definitely does a better job than the previous top loader, uses a lot less water and we've had zero maintenance issues in 4 years.

+1. Very happy!

[woodturner]

Hmmm, seems like the dryer just bit the dust. probably fixable but I did buy the Maytag pair in 1979 so its 32+ years old... I guess I got my money's worth.

I'd fix the old one, dryers are easy to fix.

Long story, but we now have two sets at two locations. We kept the 30 year old Hotpoint set and still use it, but bought the Maytag "heavy duty" set on sale at HD two years ago. It was a crazy deal - refrigerator, range, washer, and dryer, started at $1100 or so - basically the price of the refrigerator by itself - and then added cc perks, rebates, a back order rebate, etc. etc. I think my net cost was around $400 after all the rebates.

Anyway, the Maytag top loader set works fine, very happy with it. I've never had or really used front loaders, they are supposed to have some advantages and many disadvantages, but at two to three times the cost I never really seriously considered them.

BTW, if you do go with new, could be a good time to switch the dryer to electric. Gas dryers are pretty high on the list of house fire causes, according to NFPA and other test and inspection organizations. 88% to 92% of dryer fires start in gas dryers with the remaining 12% to 8% in electric dryers, according to organizations such as NFPA.

I'm assuming newer ones are "safer", but it's a relative term. I may be a little paranoid, but gas dryers caused every house fire I know about personally, and given that gas dryers are much more likely to cause a fire, I prefer electric dryers.

[val273]

Wifey and I have had the Duet for 6-7 years on....never a problem....don't wanna think about one...these things now have more electronics than the Space shuttle....here in N Y area to fix, is boo-coo moolah....keepin my fingers crossed.....I always make sure the filters are clean as well as the (gas) vent piping....would recommend them in a heartbeat...Good Luck......

[LCHIEN]

What mandated energy saving designs??

Front loaders I thought were market driven. I bought a top loader just a couple years back and saw them at the store a couple days ago.

That said, I'd get a front loader next time. My inlaws have the front load and it gets out more water which equals less dry time. Had experience with this at a vacation house we rented last summer as well.

Significantly cut down on the time washing/drying routine. And when I bought mine, I even went extra $ for the model with faster spin to supposedly get more water out.

read this article on the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationa...nservation_Act

The latest design washers use less (hot) water by pulsing the load in a shallow pool of suds with powerful jets rather than swishing the whole load in a deep vat of water. They also spin dry at higher speeds to extract more water. These so called high efficiency designs are available in both top and front loaders. Since the tub is not full of water, it no longer needs to be upright but horizontal drums are not required. I think the horizontal tub (front loader) design is more expensive but allows space saving stacking and aesthetically pleasing symmetrical look with the dryer.

Latest design Dryers work better mainly due to the washers spin drying better (faster spin) but also save energy by sensing humidity rather than just temperature alone.

[cabinetman]

BTW, if you do go with new, could be a good time to switch the dryer to electric. Gas dryers are pretty high on the list of house fire causes. I'm assuming newer ones are "safer", but it's a relative term. I may be a little paranoid, but gas dryers caused every house fire I know about personally.

Well, then you just don't know about the fires caused by electric dryers. According to most of the sources I've seen on the subject, and the research I did when switching from electric to gas, it's not the type of dryer, but the lint that's the cause.

The main risk of fire from home dryers (and commercial dryers for that matter) is from the accummulation of LINT inside the ductwork
Whether it is electric or gas does not make much difference.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_a_elect...#ixzz1hhOCtCsf

.

[Cochese]

Sorry to say F&P rates bottom of the Consumer Reports 4-year reliability surveys.
About twice as bad as the next worst and 3 times worse than the top reported for rates of repair. Usually CR is good about only reporting statistically valid info - where there's enough samples to draw a valid conclusion.

LG rates top for both gas and electric dryers and for front load washers.

I bought Maytag on CR recommendation 32 years ago and never made a repair call. I'll go with CR recommendation and probably get a LG.

Not going to get into what I think about that rag, but if I were buying new and I had room, I'd go front-load and put a shelf over the W&D units to fold clothes, etc.

[dbhost]

I know the newer machines require more maintenance than the old ones do. I keep fixing my ancient Kenmore (Whirlpool built) machines every time they break, but I would like to, when money allows more easily, replace them with the LG front load set, if for no other reason, to make it easier for my 5' 0" bride to use the things... Mind you, I like my Whirlpool apliances elsewhwere, but I have heard bad things about their front load machines, and conversely, heard good reports about the LG and Samsung models...

[jdon]

Not statistically significant (n=1), but about 4 years ago we bought an LG front loader (rated best buy on CR!), and had continual problems with excessive vibration on spin cycle, despite leveling carefully, and trying rubber damper pads under feet, weights on top of washer, etc. Our laundry room is on second floor, so is more sensitive to vibrations.

We replaced it with a Maytag (made by Whirlpool) front loader, and have had no problems of any sort; virtually vibration-free. The Maytag has a somewhat larger capacity, and seems "beefier". It was a bit more expensive than the LG, but well worth it for us. I wouldn't go back to an LG.

[wardprobst]

About eight years ago we bought the Maytag Neptune set. The dryer is still going but the washer had some problems. First, the motor went out and the whole assembly had to be replaced under warranty. Then, this year the tub started making a pretty loud noise on spin cycle. I thought it must be the bearing and after paying a service call I found out I was right. Unfortunately the tub and bearing were only available as a unit which put the repair out of reach effectively. As it was a front loader, we decided to replace it rather than have the unit fail with a tub full of clothes and water in it. We bought an LG front loader which cleans better, uses less energy and water and makes R2D2 sounds that keep the cat entertained. SWMBO is happy as am I. (She prefers the front loaders as it is easier to make the transfer of wet clothing to the dryer. I think it actually rinses better than the top loader we have in the warehouse. But that's an older unit that just keeps on going.)
DP

[frumper64]

We have always had good luck with Whirlpool washers and gas dryers. One thing to keep in mind if you are considering the newer high efficiency front loaders is that they tend to be a couple of inches deeper (front to back) than the older style washers and dryers. In our case, that meant they simply would not fit into our utility room since the door from the kitchen to the utility room would not then open. I wasn't about to rebuild a wall to move a door, so we went with the older style. The washer may use more water, but it does a great job as does the gas dryer.

[JimD]

I don't own stock in F&P or anything but the only time we called a service guy (under warranty) it was a sock under the washer. The repairman went right to it. We asked him why. He said it was the only issue he'd ever seen on F&P. They have a sensor for this and shut down if something is under the washer. Mine was a lot cheaper than they go for now. I think we paid about $400 for it. Probably says something about how long we've had it.

My late wife was 5'9" and I'm 6' 2". So front loaders are awfully low to the floor. I can't imagine anybody liking the elevation of the door much. So you get the pedistals. And you need them because you can't use your upper cabinets easily because you'd have to move them up on the wall due to the height - with the pedistals.

I might buy a front loader if I needed to replace mine - I am not against the idea of tumbling rather than agitating and I like spinning quickly to minimize drying time. But I do not like the idea of getting on my knees to load and unload (mostly unload if you want to be sure you get everything out).

Jim

[Bruce Cohen]

This thread comes at just the right time, both our washer and gas dryer are ready for the recycling heap. And we jsut had to replace the hot water heater two months ago. I guess the planned obsolescence timer kicked in.
Been looking at consumers (Yeah, that rag) and seem to agree that LG is probably the way to go.
I've been hearing stuff from friends about front washers having a bad smell, or leaving your clothes smelling bad.
Anyone out there that can confirm or deny this rumor. I'd really like a front loader, Couple shots of Jack and I can sit and watch the clothes go around and around.
Bruce

[cabinetman]

I've been hearing stuff from friends about front washers having a bad smell, or leaving your clothes smelling bad.
Anyone out there that can confirm or deny this rumor. I'd really like a front loader,

I don't find that to be true. Ours smells like the detergent. BTW...front loaders use HE type detergent.

.